Flow meter



Dec. 10, 1935.

w. J. ALBERSHEIM ET AL 2,023,563

FLOW METER Filed may 10, 1932 INVENTORS 'W.J. ALBERSHEIM H.5. KONHEIMA as follows:

Patented Dec; 10, 1 935 UNITED STATES FLOW METER Walter J. Albershelm, and Harvey s. K onheim. New York, N. Y.

Application my 10, 1932, Serial No. 610,464

This invention relates to a flow meter for liquids in which the viscosity of the liquid flowing is compensated for, so that correct readings of the velocity of flow may be taken directly, regardless of the partitular viscosity of the liquid flowing.

The well known flow meter of the Venturi type comprises a conduit which has a change of diameter between two measuring points. The difference of the static pressures measured at these two points is used to indicate the quantity of flow per second. Thus, it has been mathematically determined that the rate of flow per second may be expressed as follows:

V 213p Q=KA2 A22 where Q is the rate of flow per second; A1 is the area of the conduit at the measuring point 5; A2 the area of the conduit at the measuring point 2; G the specific gravity of the liquid flowing; and A40 is equal to the difierence in pressures (pi-p2) at the measuring points i and 2, and K is a constant.

Now, if we assume that the specific gravity G is known and constant and that the liquid is very nearly a perfect liquid, that is, the pressure change between points i and g is purely due to acceleration work, with negligible friction losses due to viscosity when Q is directly proportional to the square root of hp, and a diiferential monometer can be calibrated directly in rate of flow units such as for example gallons per second.

If, however, the liquid does not approach the ideal condition, namehr, that of a perfect liquid. but has a measurable internal friction or viscosity, the pressure drop between the measuring points i and 2 will consist not only of a dynamic component which may be expressed mathematically but also of a viscous component which is proportional to the rate of flow Q, the viscosity y and the constant 01. The constant C1 is a function of the length, width and shape or the conduit between the points i and 2. The pressure drop due to friction loss or viscosity may be expressed as:

3 Claims. (Cl. 73-167) pvllcoul =yQ 1 The total pressure drop therefore is equal to the sum of Equation (2) and (3) which is as follows:

From Equation (4) it will be seen at once that when the usual type or Venturi meter is used as a means to indicate the rate of flow of liquid in a conduit, the viscosity of that liquid enters into the determination as an important factor, and obviously in measuring the rate of flow of liquids of varying unknown viscosities the readings obtained will be substantially in error due to this factor.

It is therefore an object of this invention to devise a direct reading flow meter which automatically corrects for the error introduced by the viscosity of the liquid being measured, with the result that an apparatus is provided which will indicate correctly the rate of flow of any liquid of indeterminate or unknown viscosity.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a direct reading flow meter which is constructed and arranged in such a way that the errors normally introduced by changes in viscosity are automatically balanced out and a correct reading obtained.

The manner in which the present invention is carried out will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

The figure is a diagrammatic representation of a device embodying the principles of this invention.

Referring in detail to the figure of the drawing, the device is seen to comprise a conduit I 0 having an area A1 at the measuring point I, an area A:

at the measuring point 2, and an area A: at the measuring point 3. It will be understood, oi. course, that this conduit is merely shaped in the form of the usual type of Venturi meter having a substantially narrow passage which indicates the change in pressure by virtue of the increased in velocity caused by the passage of the liquid therethrough. The velocities V1, V2 and V3 of the liquid flowing at the points I, 2 and 3 respectively may be expressed as follows:

3 Now, the pressure drop between the points I and 2, as explained above, equals:

Similarly, for the pressure difference between the pressures p2 and pa, taken at the points 2 and 3 respectively we have:

where C2 is a constant depending upon the length, width and shape of the conduit between the points 2 and 3. v

From Equations (5) and (6) we derive:

Eq. (8) C1P2 lP3 Q z c, 02 K2A c2 1 A, Furthermore, if we arrange the lengths and shapes of the conduit sections between the points I and 2 and 2 and 3 respectively in such a manner that the friction constants C1 and C2 are made equal then Equation (8) is further simplified to the following form:

In any of the forms of Equations (7), (8) and (9), however, it is seen that the pressure readings are dependent only upon certain physical constants of the conduit and are independent of the term :1; representing the viscosity of the liquid.

Having shown mathematically the underlying principles involving the present invention, it now remains merely necessary to arrange the physical apparatus in such a way that the pressure relations concerned in the mathematical analysis may be actually determined. In other words, it merely remains necessary for us now to show how to build an apparatus of the type shown in Fig. 1 which will indicate the values of Referring now specifically to the diagram of Fig. 1, the pipe ll connected to the conduit III at the measuring point I leads to an instrument chamber 20, the front wall of which contains a transparent portion such as for example a glass wall. A pressure responsive mechanism I2 having a movable member l2a is connected to the pipe ll whereby the pressure at the point I in the conduit l0 may actuate member He. Similarly, a second pressure responsive mechanism I3 having a movable member [3a is connected to the measuring point 3 of the conduit I 0 by means of another pipe H. The chamber 20 communicates with the measuring point 2 by a pipe i4, whereby the pressure at the point 2 in the conduit ill is communicated to the interior of the chamber 20 and is made to act upon the underside of the movable members l2a and I3a of the pressure responsive mechanisms l2 and I3 respectively. It will thus be seen that the movement of themember We is governed by the difference in pressure between the points I and 2; and in the same way the movement of the member i3a is governed by the difference in pressure between the points 2 and 3.

In order to indicate the differential movement caused by the indicating members of the pressure responsive mechanisms l2 and I3 the following apparatus is provided:

A rod 30 pivoted at the point 3| is connected to the members l2a and Ba by links 32 and 33 respectively. A fixed pivot 34 is joined to the casing 20 and a movable arm 35 pivotally joined to 34 is provided with a pointer which plays over a scale 36. The link 31 connects the arm 35 at C with the rod 30 whereby the differential movement of the members In and I3 is translated to the arm 35 thus causing its indicator to play over the scale 36 which may be calibrated directly in any suitable units of flow per second.

It will now be shown mathematically that the movement of the arm 35 indicates the value of The response of the pressure responsive device l2 may for example be Y cm. per unit of pressure; that of i3, Z cm. per unit of pressure. The center points of the two members l2a and Ba, or in other words, the center points of the two diaphragms of' the pressure responsive devices are connected to the end pivots A and B of the rod 30. The lengths of the arms are AC=Z1, and CB=Z2. The center pivot C is connected to a pivot D of the indicator arm which turns about the rigid pivot point 34. The lengths of the pivot arms are so adjusted that:

tively and denote their diaphragm deflections per unit pressure difference.

01' 8211 a lz'gi The pressure (pr-4n) acting on the diaphragm.

l2a will push A downward by anamount equal to lll(17l-P2),'3Bd thereby the point 3| will be moved by an amount equal to:

1, distance PH, ai(p p,)

Similarly, the pressure (pa-pa) acting on the s as n spaced points to the first-device, one separate 63a push B downward by an amount qual to tulips-pa) and thereby the point ill by an amount equal to:

caused by the combined action at the diap its and Ma equals:

hi mpa)+ssll(n-nil Substituting Equation (10). in Equation (13) we have: I

I 8 1 l C} It is therefore obvious that the diaphragm devices can be made to indicate a constant relationship oi the pressures at the measuring points and also that these diaphragm devices can be replaced by any other means giving the approximate linear response to pressure differences. Also, it is obvious that the lever combinations shown may be substituted by a y quivalent means which'will give mechanical movements in accordance with the desired pressure relationshjp5 i i It will therefore be seen that we have devised a measuring instrument which may indicate directly the rate of flow oi the liquid independent of its viscosity.

It will be understood, of course, that many changes in the herein-disclosed specific embodiments will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. We therefore do not intend to be limited to details 01 constructions and operation, except as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A flow meter comprising a conduit having a Venturi section, said section having equal areas of cross-section at two spaced points and a third area of smaller cross-section at an intermediate point, a first pressure responsive device provided with a yieldable member, a second pressure responsive device having a yieldable member, one connection only from the conduitat one 01 said connection only from the conduit at the other oi said spaced points to said second device, where-. by the pressures at the said points are exerted on one side of the movable members of said de- 5 vices each to each, one connection only for exerting the pressure at said intermediate point upon the other side of each of said members, a pointer, a scale, and a link connection joined to said members for moving said pointer over said scale in m accordance with the diflerential movement of said movable members.

2. A flow meter comprising a conduit having a venturi section, said section having equal areas of cross-section at two spaced points and a third 15 area of smaller cross-section at an intermediate point, a first pressure responsive device provided with a yieldabie member, a second pressure responsive device having a yieldable member, one connection only from the conduit at one oi said spaced points to the first device, one separate connection only irom the conduit at the other oi said spaced points to said second device. whereby the pressures at the said points are exerted on one side of the movable members 0! said dle- 25 vices each to each, one connection only iorcxerting thepressure at said intermediate point upon the other side of each of said members,'and means for indicating the resultant of said three pressures. I 3o 3. A flow meter comprising a conduit mm; a Venturi section, said section having equal areas of cross-section at two spaced points and a third area or smaller cross-section at an, intermediate point, a first pressure responsive device-provided u with a yieldable member, a second pressure ree sponsive device having a yieldable member, one connection only from the conduit at one of said spaced points to the first device, one separate connection only from the conduit at the other 40 of said spaced points to said second device, whereby the pressures at the said points are exerted on one side of the movable members of said devices each to each, one connection only for exerting the pressure at said intermediate point .upon the other side 0! cache! said members, a 

